Finances remain one of the biggest challenges facing public schools in the country. And often schools turn to education federations such as the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (Fedsas), for advice. Fedsas states that financial management remains a common component that it is consulted on most by school governing bodies.
The book, Financial Management in Public Schools: A practical guide to legislative compliance, which was published by Juta Law, has been launched at the International Education Law Conference on Monday 4 September 2017, which means that the financial expertise of the Fedsas staff is now available in book form.
“All schools, irrespective of their environment, have unique financial challenges. The unique management model of public schools as determined by the Schools’ Act requires governing bodies to maintain a fine balance in terms of the management of a school’s finances,” says Dr Jaco Deacon, Deputy CEO of Fedsas and Managing Editor of the book.
Other Fedsas experts that were involved as contributors include the CEO, Paul Colditz, Dr Jean van Rooyen, Fedsas Gauteng manager, Suzaan Mellet, Fedsas Manager: Support Services, Juané van der Merwe, legal officer, Dr Derek Swemmer, CEO of the Fedsas Institute for School Governance, and Riaan van der Bergh, Fedsas Manager: Education Technology.
Education officials can also benefit from the publication, and this is why the first copy was handed over to the Director-General of the Department of Basic Education, Mathanzima Mweli.
Deacon said the aim of the book is to provide an overview of the most important aspects relating to school finances. “The book explains the practical implications and is indispensable for school governing bodies, principals and a school’s financial officer.”